A new chain of five-star hotels is set to open in Sydney Harbour - but only guests of the seahorse
variety will be welcome to stay.
Family-owned South Australian winery Taylors Wines has partnered with the Sydney Institute of
Marine Science (SIMS) to launch an initiative to save the endangered White’s seahorse (or
Sydney seahorse) from extinction.
The SeaBnB campaign is a fundraising initiative calling on Australians to give these underwater
equines a temporary home while SIMS researchers work to rebuild their permanent, seagrass habitats.
All donations (less any transaction fees) go directly towards SIMS’ research projects with the aim
to fully restore the seahorse’s natural habitats and give the creatures a fighting chance of avoiding extinction.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the great work that SIMS does and I’m blown away by the innovative
research they are doing to restore the homes of these precious marine creatures,” Taylors Wines
third-generation winemaker and managing director Mitchell Taylor said.
“Seahorses, much like grapevines, are an indicator species that raise the alarm to serious
climate-related issues. It’s very important we do what we can to reverse their population decline before
it’s too late.”
The Sydney seahorse is endemic to the east coast of Australia and is one of only two seahorses on the
planet to be listed as an endangered species.
Their preferred homes, the underwater seagrass
meadows known as posidonia australis, are declining at a rapid rate, like coral
reefs.
SIMS says the survival of this seagrass species is crucial in the fight against climate change. It
has the ability to slow climate change by storing carbon 30 to 40 times faster than terrestrial forests.
And
while being home to beautiful sea critters like the Sydney seahorse, the seagrass helps filter the debris in
our oceans.
“This is such an exciting initiative between SIMS and Taylors – it’s a partnership which unites two quite
distinct organisations who share common values focused on safeguarding the future of the planet,” said SIMS
CEO Martina Doblin.
“Many people don’t realise that changes in the earth’s climate system impact both terrestrial and marine
ecosystems. Every second breath we take is from our oceans. The SeaBnB initiative is an important
project that brings together two areas of research - restoring seagrass meadows in Sydney Harbour, and
artificial seahorse habitats for the endangered Sydney seahorse.
“We hope this campaign will inspire everyone to support our work and learn more about the importance
of these restoration efforts.”
The goal for the SeaBnB initiative is to raise $150,000 which will enable SIMS to fully restore select
areas of seagrass meadows that have been lost. In turn, this creates the opportunity to reintroduce a
herd of captive-raised seahorses to their natural habitat.
Donations of any denomination can be made at SeaBnB.com.au or selected from the list of luxury
SeaBnB seahorse accommodation packages.
To launch the campaign, Taylors Wines hascalled upon Australian record free diver Adam Stern to
act as an underwater hotel concierge for incoming seahorse guests in a short film about the initiative.
“We have some incredible marine life in Sydney," Stern said. "I think most people in the city don’t even know what an
amazing underwater world is all around them.
“It’s hard not to notice the deterioration of marine habitats all over the country. Without projects like
these, we’re going to continue to see the degradation of these underwater environments.
"In addition to
donating to the cause, I reckon all Australians should grab a mask and snorkel, jump into the ocean and
explore. I think once people see what a special thing we have, they’ll realise how important it is to protect
it.”
Funds raised for this campaign directly supports three phases of SIMS research and restoration projects.
The seahorse logo features on Taylors wines labels.
To kick start the campaign, Taylors has chipped in $10,000.
